Mattsson, Ingrid

Värn, Filip

Where are the health libraries? : How health library managers describe the libraries placement, possibilities and challenges (English)

Abstract [en]

Abstract: Health libraries have received relatively little attention, and not much has been studied regarding their operations. Thus the aim of this bachelor thesis is to gain an increased understanding of the placement of health libraries within the health care system, through interviews with managers about their perceptions of what possibilities and challenges that comes with the placement.

Methods: The study was conducted on six different health care libraries, through telephone interviews with the managers for said libraries. The interviews were then analysed through deductive thematic analysis, based on elements from Jacobsen & Thorsvik’s Comprehensive organization model.

Findings: On the whole, the managers were content with the placement of the health libraries within the organization structure and stated that they found the communication to and from the management of the health care system satisfactory, though with room for improvement. It was also noted that while the managers did think that the health library had received more recognition from both management and health care professionals due to increased need of electronic resources for evidence-based medicine, they still competed with outdated prejudices and ignorance on the duties of health libraries and health librarians.

This ignorance, coupled with a lack of law ordained missives, were considered the greatest challenges that the health libraries had to face. However, the managers were despite these challenges hopeful regarding the future role of health libraries within the system, citing both a greater need of their services, as well as a growing understanding of how they can contribute.